For Jay Campbell, MD, the call to pediatric cardiology came during residency where he was drawn to cardiac anatomy and physiology, providing care in multiple environments and caring for children throughout their childhood. In this week’s Faculty Spotlight, Campbell talks about his clinical specialty and research in cardiac imaging, his most significant mentors during fellowship and at Duke, and provides some valuable advice for trainees.
How long have you been at Duke? How did you decide to come here?
I have been at Duke for 13 years. I came to Duke in 2008 after finishing pediatric cardiology fellowship at Vanderbilt. My wife had matched in pediatric rheumatology and allergy/immunology fellowships at Duke, so I was certainly motivated to be at Duke for personal reasons; however, I was also drawn to the excellent Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric/Congenital Heart Center.
What are your current responsibilities within the Department of Pediatrics? What does your typical day look like?
I primarily work in pediatric cardiac imaging. I read and perform pediatric and fetal echocardiograms as well as pediatric/congenital cardiac MRI’s. I see pediatric cardiology patients in clinic (Raleigh). I also practice inpatient pediatric cardiology and was recently named the medical director of the Pediatric Cardiac and Complex Care Unit (PC3).
How and when did you initially become interested in medicine? What made you decide to pursue a career in pediatric cardiology in particular?
I initially became interested in pediatric cardiology during residency. I was drawn to cardiac anatomy and physiology, providing care in multiple environments (inpatient, outpatient, procedural), and taking care of patients throughout their childhood.
What do you see as the biggest current challenges and opportunities in the field of pediatric cardiology?
I think the biggest current challenge for pediatric cardiology is to improve patients’ quality of life through improved neurodevelopmental outcomes. The field has achieved great success in survival for children with cardiac disease, but there is room for improvement in neurodevelopmental outcomes and quality of life.
Is there any research or other special projects you are doing or plan on doing?
I do research in cardiac imaging and have been involved in research investigating myocardial tissue characteristics as detected by cardiac MRI. My current project investigates myocardial characteristics of patients with aortic stenosis and hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I enjoy working with patients and families and helping them through their illness and watching them grow. I also enjoy training the next generation of pediatric cardiologists and thinking of the impact that they will have on the field and patients.
Who was your most significant mentor and what knowledge did you gain through this collaboration?
During fellowship, I had many mentors but my cardiac imaging mentors, Ann Kavanaugh, Mike Liske and David Parra, were very important in shaping me into a pediatric cardiologist. As a faculty member at Duke, I have had terrific mentoring from many including Jennifer Li, Piers Barker, Ron Kanter, and Ray Kim. All of these mentors took a personal interest in my professional development and modeled the kind of physician that I wanted to become.
You currently serve as the program director for Duke Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship program. Do you have any advice for trainees?
I would advise trainees to pursue a career they are passionate about and to identify mentors who can help teach and guide them to reach their maximum potential.
What passions or hobbies do you have outside of Duke?
I enjoy spending time with family, watching sports (college basketball and football), and reading about US history.